TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ANKARA 000787 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/SE, EUR/PD, NEA/PD, DRL JCS PASS J-5/CDR S. WRIGHT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR TU PREL KPAO SUBJECT: TURKISH MEDIA REACTION THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2009 In Today's Papers Turkish Parliament Adopts Law to Demine Syrian Border All papers: The draft law on the sweeping of land mines along the Syrian border, which led to tension between the ruling party and the opposition for weeks, was adopted in the parliament late yesterday. The Parliament passed the bill with 255 votes in favor and 91 against. According to the law, The Turkish National Defense Ministry will invite companies and institutions first. If it fails, then the Finance Ministry will open it up a bidding process. If the mine fields cannot be cleared with these two methods, the project will be put to a tender. In this way, the mine fields will be used for agricultural purposes by the company or institution after de-mining the land. The land mines in military zones in the area will be cleared but the zones will not be given to the contractors. The contractors will clear the land mines in five years after they win the project. They cannot use the lands for agriculture more than 44 years after they clear the fields. New Stimulus Package Announced Today Referans, Hurriyet, Milliyet: Economic daily Referans reports that the stimulus package to be announced by PM Erdogan today is estimated as 3.1 billion lira. The package includes steps for creating new employment opportunities and incentives designed to encourage new investments. The employment measures include a new regulation permitting companies to hire trainees. The Unemployment Fund will be paying the trainees' salaries and the payment will be less than the minimum wage determined by the government. At the end of a six-month probation period the company might decide to offer permanent employment. Referans summarizes the measures in the employment package as follows: a six-month trainee program, professional education for 200,000 people, and temporary employment in the public sector. Mainstream Hurriyet reports that the government "offers generous support for big investments in the new package." Up to 45 percent support will be extended to big investments. Big investments in 15 sectors where imports are high and exports are low, will be given support all over Turkey. The East and the Southeast are the poorest of the four investment zones determined by the government. In these regions, the corporate tax will be curbed two percent and the government will fund 25 percent of the new investments. In a related story, mainstream Milliyet reports that while the government is working on the stimulus package, Culture Minister Ertugrul Gunay said that the tourism sector might also benefit from the incentives as enterprises bring foreign currency to Turkey. All Eyes Are On Obama (Milliyet) Media are positive about U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and are eagerly awaiting his speech to the Islamic World today, but some note the warnings in the Arab press that Obama carefully choose his words in order to avoid controversy. Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet headlines, "A New Image Effort In Cairo," and reports, "Obama, whose father was Muslim, is visiting Riyadh and Cairo with the goal of improving the U.S. image in the Muslim world." In "The First Sale in The Middle East Is with The Saudis," liberal Radikal reports, "Obama has begun his first Mideast tour, which does not include Israel, by going to Riyadh." Islamist-oriented Zaman reports "Obama has embarked on his tour with the aim of starting a new chapter in relations with the Muslim world." Mainstream Sabah carries the front-page headline "The Islamic World Is Locked on Cairo," as "today Obama will deliver his historic speech to the 'Muslim World'," but the Arab press has warned him, "Don't give us lessons on democracy, don't be a supporter of Israel, and don't interfere with our internal business." Mainstream HaberTurk reports the same warnings from the Arab press in, "Don't Give Us A Lesson, Obama." In a related article, Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak reports, "This Time He Didn't Bow," and notes, "when Obama met the Saudi King in London, he disturbed the American public by bowing to the King," but "this time ANKARA 00000787 002 OF 004 he did not bow." A Cassette Tape Threat to Obama (Hurriyet) Media note Osama Bin Laden's latest taped message was broadcast to criticize Obama on the first day of his Middle East tour. Leftist Taraf headlines, "In A New Message from Bin Laden, Obama Is 'Sowing The Seeds of Hate,'" and reports, "Bin Laden accused Obama of pressuring Pakistan to launch operations in Swat." In "A 'Welcome' Surprise from Laden to Obama," Islamist-oriented Zaman notes Bin Laden's message was broadcast on the day Obama arrived in Saudi Arabia. Mainstream Sabah reports, "Laden Threatened The U.S. in A New Cassette Tape." Chief of General Staff General Basbug is Presented With Medal of Honor by the Pentagon Mainstreams Milliyet, Hurriyet and Sabah report that Chief of Turkish General Staff (TSK) General Basbug was presented with the medal of honor by Admiral Mullen at the Pentagon during his visit to the Washington DC. Admiral Mullen welcomed General Basbug with a military ceremony at the Pentagon and presented him with the medal. Milliyet notes that General Basbug met with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates as well at the Pentagon. Hurriyet daily interviewed General Basbug in Washington prior to his meeting with Admiral Mullen, regarding the elimination of the PKK and 'historic opportunity ' discussions. General Basbug said "we should not lose our patience just because we cannot solve terrorism immediately. The aim and duty of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is to continue its fight until terrorists are totally rooted out." When he was asked about the latest rumors that the PKK would lay arms and extend its cease-fire, General Basbug said "nobody should try to give us advice. I will neither stop nor wait for terrorists to come. On the contrary, I will go, search, find and destroy." When he was asked whether the TSK units could ignore PKK groups when they saw them, Basbug said "nobody should expect Turkish soldiers not to stage operations in the name of peace against terrorists who try to harm the life of our citizens and the territorial integrity of our country. Nobody should expect Turkish soldiers to remain silent. We will give the severest response when we come across with them." Turkey increases its Activity in Iraq Islamist-oriented Zaman reports that Turkey started to implement its policy to get in touch with all groups in Iraq. The first step was the marketing of northern Iraqi oil. The Turkish Consulate-General in Basra had started to operate quietly last April and the official opening of it will take place in the following days. In Basra, other than Turkey, only Britain and Iran have Consulates. Another important step will be taken in Mosul. Direct flights between Istanbul and Mosul will take start on June 7. Editorial Commentary on President Obama's Cairo Speech Cem Sey observes in leftist Taraf (6/4): "In his Cairo speech to be delivered today, President Obama will have to win the moderates in the region. In order to win them, Obama will have to demand a milieu in which the moderates can express their joint views, get organized and demand power. For this reason alone, perhaps it's more important that Obama's speech will be delivered in Egypt instead of Turkey. Only when he expresses such views and supports this line with future policies, it will be clear that Obama is implementing a new policy. The U.S. President's speech today could cause disillusionment, but Obama deserves to be given time to make serious changes." Nabi Yagci writes in leftist Taraf (6/4): "Prior to his travel to Egypt, President Obama reiterated on a French television channel that the clash of civilizations doctrine, which was enforced through the Cold War and by the Bush era, was shelved. Obama stressed this point, saying 'I think there's an existing and true clash between those who defend that Islam was not compatible with the modern world and those who think Islam has always kept pace with progress.' ANKARA 00000787 003 OF 004 Those who perceive Turkey as a Muslim country must learn something from this message as well as Obama's stance, which is free of any complex. I have no objection to the definition that 'The Republic of Turkey is a secular state.' This definition, however, lacks 'people,' and it won't tell much to a foreigner who doesn't know Turkey. To be able to say 'Turkey is a modern, secular and Muslim country' is different, and gives a truer picture which stands closer to reality." Editorial Commentary on Turkey's Kurdish Question Rusen Cakir writes in mainstream Vatan (6/4): "Turkey's main Kurdish party DTP leader Ahmet Turk does not have a strong influence on the PKK. Turk was excluded whenever he wanted to walk the lines set by the PKK in politics. Turk and his followers, the 'doves' in the DTP, cannot be the main carriers of the peace process. Hardliners in the party such as Emine Ayna and Selahattin Demirtas do not seem to have the experience and power to direct Turk whenever necessary. There are two Kurdish names who could be Turkey's Gerry Adams -- Leyla Zana and Sabri Ok, a PKK official who lives in Europe. The Kurdish movement in Turkey needs a Gerry Adams who can be reached easily in the efforts to find a solution to the Kurdish question." Yasin Dogan (alias for PM Erdogan's political advisor, Yalcin Akdogan) writes in Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak (6/4): "The PKK, while asking the government to take the initiative from the military, should itself think of giving the initiative to Kurdish civilians. Instead of blurring the picture with rounded words and abstract statements, the PKK must take concrete and serious forward steps. The PKK must arrange its expectations according to the fact that it is a terror organization and an illegal organization that stands against democracy. Any effort which would try to cover up the fact of terror would be futile." Editorial Commentary on Existing Conditions Forcing Turkey for Early elections Derya Sazak comments in mainstream Milliyet (6/4): "The outcome of March 29 local elections showed the CHP and MHP can form a coalition government. The Islamist Felicity Party (SP) is growing stronger every day, and center-right parties DP and ANAP are set to merge. The global economic downturn has shrunk Turkey's economy, unemployment is soaring and exports diminished by 40 percent. When the summer is over, the AKP government will be surrounded by 'real' problems. The AKP, as seen in a recent bill over the sweeping of landmines on the border with Syria, gives a scattered picture. The existing political and economic factors can push the AKP to go to early general elections in 2010." TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic - A youth is given a two-year prison sentence for jumping and applauding with joy at a DTP introductory meeting. - PM Erdogan said he will show no respect for those who refer to his party as "AKP" instead of "Ak Party." - Tensions escalated in the Kizilay neighborhood of Ankara when two different student groups started to clash. - The Justice Ministry plans to recruit 13,300 new employees through November. - The State agrees to give back the seized assets of minority foundations as the European Court of Human Rights ordered Turkey to ANKARA 00000787 004 OF 004 pay compensation of 100 million lira. World - The U.S. has mistakenly made public a 266 page report that gave detailed information on its nuclear programs. - An airline official said that Air France received a false bomb threat for a flight from Argentina to Paris days before a plane went missing. - North Korea is set to launch its most advanced missile capable of hitting Alaska. SILLIMAN